Sheet-binding apparatus



July 3, 1956 G. T. HODGE SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1954 MR mm m m M 0 m 6 ATTORNEY July 3, 1956 G. T. HODGE 2,752, 19

SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1954 e Sheets-Sheet 2 aim/m 7. Home, INVENTOR ATTORNEY G. T. HODGE SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS July 3, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 23,

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 3, 1956 G. T. HODGE 2,752,619

SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 56 Q HA BY I ATTORNEY July 3, 1956 G. T. HODGE SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 23, 1954 0mm 7. H006f,

INVENTOR ATTO RN EY y 3, 1956 G. T. HODGE 2,752,619

SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 GER/M0 Z' #0065 N v E m0 R ATTORNEY United States Patent SHEET-BINDING APPARATUS Gerard Thomas Hodge, London, England Application February 23, 1954, Serial No. 411,999

.17 Claims. (Cl. 111) This invention relates to apparatus for binding to gether sheets, such as sheets of paper, letters, copies and so on.

The word binding as used herein means the joining together of sheets at adjacent edges, called binding edges, so as to form a book-like collection of papers. The invention includes apparatus by which not only may a number of sheets be bound together by their binding edges, but also by which two or more sheets may be joined together or may be added to or inserted in a number of sheets already so joined.

It is known that sheets of paper may be bound together by a flexible film, such as may be made by the drying of a colloidal solution of rubber applied to the back of the collection of sheets to be bound, but this kind of binding has not been applied to the filing of sheets or papers and it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for building up a collection of sheets, such as by adding or inserting sheets, or for binding an existing collection in one operation.

According to the invention apparatus for binding sheets together comprises members for so positioning the sheets that their binding edges are adjacent one another and are aligned substantially in a common plane, a container for fiexible-film-forming solution such as a colloidal rubber solution, and a device associated with the container for bringing suflicient solution into contact with the edges for binding the sheets together.

The container of the apparatus is adapted to be closed when necessary to prevent evaporation and drying of the solution. Preferably the mechanism includes a device which carries the required quantity of solution from the container to the binding edges and such device may be arranged to close the container when it is not being used for carrying the solution from the container. The apparatus includes a pressure-applying member for pressing on the sheets to ensure that the binding edges are kept closely adjacent one another whilst the solution is being applied. A removable reservoir may be connected to the container for replenishing solution as required. The container, the reservoir and the solution carrying device may be made easily removable for replacement.

One construction of machine according to the invention will now be described in more detail, as an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective showing the general arrangement of the machine;

Figure 2 is a partial front elevation, showing the lefthand part of the machine, with parts broken away to show some of the operating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a part section on the plane IIIIII of Fig ure 2, showing the machine in the normal or rest position;

Figure 4 is a partial front elevation of the left-hand part of the solution applying tongue, with details shown in section; 4

Figure 5 is a section on the plane V-V of Figure 2, with some parts shown in side elevation; and

Figures 6 and 7 are part sections, similar to Figure 3, showing other positions of the mechanism during operation.

It will be convenient to describe the machine under several headings as follows: the casing; the positioning means; the solution container and reservoir; the solutionapplying blade; the operating mechanism; operation of the machine.

The casing The general shape of the casing, which serves both as a cover and as a frame, can be seen from Figure 1. It has sides 1 and a top surface 1A downwardly inclined from back to front of the machine. The sides extend above the level of the top surface, so that a tray is formed into which sheets may be placed, the binding edges slightly overhanging the lowest, foremost edge 1B of the tray (see Figure 3).

The size of the tray is such that it may receive any size of sheets to be bound. For example the machine might be only for quarto paper, or it might be made in a foolscap size and so on.

Below the edge 1B the casing is slotted to receive a solution container 4, and at the front the casing is closed by a removable plate 1C. A curved plate 1D is pivotally mounted on a shaft 3A, and can be raised or lowered about the shaft during operation of the machine, as will be explained.

The paper-positioning means A stop member 2 is so arranged that in its normal, at rest position it is just forward of the edge 13 and substantially at right angles to the general plane of the tray (see Figure 3). Thus when sheets are placed in the tray their binding edges, in overhanging the edge 13, abut spaced ribs 2A of the stop member 2, which align the edges, this being of course necessary for the proper binding of the sheets. The purpose of the ribs 2A is to prevent contact of the edges with the main surface of the stop member, so that the latter can be moved upwardly away from the edges during operation of the machine. Provision of the ribs enables the stop member to move upwardly past the edges without dragging or displacing them in any way.

For proper binding, not only must the edges be aligned, but they must be closely adjacent one another and for this purpose a pressure applying member in the form of an elongated pressure pad 3 is arranged to press down firmly on the top of the stack of sheets during operation of the machine. In the at rest position, when the sheets are placed in the tray, the pad 3 is raised above the tray. The pad 3 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 3A by a pair of swinging arms 3B, whilst a pair ofauxiliary arms 3C are pivotally mounted at 3D to the sides of the casing. These pairs of arms are so mounted and are of such a length that the pad is always kept parallel to the tray and the sheets, whatever the thickness of the stack of sheets, so as not to disturb them when it is pressed down.

The pressure pad is moved up and down in conjunction with the operating handle, as will be explained.

The solution container and reservoir An elongated cylindrical solution container 4 extends across the machine below the edge 1B of the tray and also below the stop member.

The solution is a flexible-film-forming solution, that is, a solution capable, on drying, of forming a flexible film. Ajcolloidal rubber solution is an example.

The container has a long slot 4A with a pair of inwardly directed edges 4B. Shoulders 4C may be provided in the container to restrict its capacity.

In the normal, at rest state of the machine the slot 4A should be sealed to keep the solution liquid, and the mounting of the solution-applying blade is arranged to be pressed into the slot to close it firmly. This will be referred to subsequently.

At its left-hand end the container (see Figures 1, 2 and '5) has integral mounting extensions or lugs 4D which receive screws 4B for holding the container in the casing. The container is supported near each end in a hole in the side casing members 1. The container is easily insertible or removable. To insert, the free end of the container is passed first through one casing hole, pushed across the machine and through the other casing hole. The screws 4E are then screwed home into their sockets in the side casing member. To remove, the screws 4B are undone and the container withdrawn. Outwardly of the lugs 4D the container is continued with an integral tubular chamber 5, the general plane of which is at right angles to the axis of the container. The chamber 5 has two main portionsa vertical portion 5A extending below the axis of the container and a portion 5B, inclined to the vertical and extending above the axis, as may be seen in Figure 5. The top of the portion 58 is open and internally threaded to receive a replenishment reservoir 5C, which is shown screwed home into position.

The reservoir 5C is always in communication with the container through the chamber 5 while the machine is standing flat on a surface such as a desk or table. When the reservoir is taken off the machine its opening 5D is closed by a spring-pressed ball 5E. When the reservoir is screwed on to the chamber 5 the ball remains in position, as seen in full lines in Figure 5, and the reservoir is not in communication with the chamber. As soon as the machine is placed down on a flat surface the ball is pushed inwardly and to one side, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5. The ball is moved to one side so that liquid can pass it and emerge through the opening 5D more easily, and also so that air bubbles, rising into the reservoir to replace the emergent liquid, can pass through more readily.

Although the liquid level in the reservoir is higher than that in the container, nevertheless it will be clear that there can be no overflow through the container slot 4A, since the reservoir is completely closed above its own liquid level.

The ball SE is moved by a vertically reciprocable needle 6 slidable by means of a washer 6A against a spring 613 within a sleeve 6D of a diaphragm 6C which closes the lower end of the chamber 5. The spring 6B urges the needle downward. To prevent escape of liquid a gland consisting of a bellows GE is arranged as shown. The lower end 'of the needle 6 enters a chamber 7 formed by a 'cup 7A closed by a cover 7B through which the needle projects centrally. The cup 7A is reciprocable within the lowest part of the chamber 5, a spring 7C urging the cup downwardly, to abut finally against an annular clip 7D. It will be seen that the lowest part of the cup is a downward projection 7E and that within the cup a ball 8 tests on a curved, dished surface 8A. When the machine is placed on a level surface the projection 7E is pushed up, and in turn the cup, ball 8, needle, and ball 5E are also pushed up. If the projection should be pushed up when the machine is not level, then the ball 8 will not move the needle, since the ball 8 will have rolled away from the centre of the dished surface 8A.

The reservoir is canted some distance from the vertical, as shown in Figure 5, to improve the flow of the naturally rather viscous liquid.

It will be appreciated that the reservoir can be easily unscrewed when empty and replaced by another full one. The empty one is automatically closed on removal; the full one is automatically opened on fitting. It is then an easy matter to keep the machine always supplied with the liquid. I

The solution-applying blade The solution-applying blade 9 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Its thin lower part 9A enters the container and when it is withdrawn through the slot 4A carries some solution with it. The upper part 9B is thicker, as seen in Figure 3, and is adapted to be a press fit into the slot 4A so as to close it and render the container airtight. Both parts 9A and 9B are made of a resilient material, such as moulded rubber.

The blade is fixed to a metalmounting plate 9C which fits slidably over the lower part 9D of the stop member 2. (See particularly Figure 3.) The blade therefore moves with the sto member which is carried by pairs of radius arms 10A and 10B pivotally connected to the stop member on axes 10C and 10D. The arms 10A are shorter than the arms 1013 so that when they are swung upwardly (to lift the stop plate and remove the blade from the container preparatory to wiping the binding edges of the sheets) the stop member and blade are not only lifted, but also turned.

Referring to Figure 4, the pivotal mounting axes 10C and 10D of the stop member are shown. It will also be seen that the pairs of arms 10A and 10B enter slots in the stop member and are pivotally connected by means of short shafts extending across each slot. One arm 10A with its slot and shaft can be seen in Figure 2. The way in which the arms, stop member and blade are moved by the handle will now be described.

The operating mechanism An operating handle 11 is pivotally mounted across the front of the machine on the shaft 3A. At each end, that is parallel to each side of the machine, the handle is extended downward (see Figures 2 and 3) at 11B and carries a shaft 1 1C which is parallel to the shaft 3A. The shaft 11C can ride along an edge 12A of a lever plate 12, which includes as an integral rearward extension the arm 10B previously described. Thus there is a lever plate 12 near each side of the machine.

The lever plates 12 are pivotally carried by a shaft 12B, mounted at each end in the casing of the machine. The plates are held normally in their lowest position, as seen in Figure}, by tension coil springs 12C. v

The edge 12A of each plate 12 ends in a detent 12D, which traps the shaft 11C.

As explained previously, the stop member is carried near its top by the arms 10A. The forward end of each arm 10A is pivotally mounted, by a linchpin 13A on a bracket 13 bolted to and upstandingfrom the casing. The position of one of the brackets 13 is shown in Figures and 3. g

A rod 11A is fixed at each end to the arms 3B (which carry the pressure pad 3) and extends between them, so that the rod can be abutted by the forward side of the handle, as in Figure 3. Two tension springs 11D each have their upper ends fixed to the top of the handle and their lower ends to the shaft 11A, tending to keep the rod 11A in contact with the handle.

Operation By a single downward movement of the handle the sheets are held firmly in position whilst their binding edges are wiped with the pro er amount of solution for binding. When the handle is released it moves auto matically upward and the other parts of the mechanism return to the normal or rest position as shown in Figure 3.

In the normal position the lever plates 12 on the shaft 12B are held downin "the position shown by the Springs 120. The blade '9 is then kept in the container, which it seals. The shaft 11C is held in its rearmost position by the detent 12D, so that the handle, movable on the shaft 3A, is kept in its forwardmost position, carrying with it the arms 3B and pressure pad 3.

If now some sheets of paper are to be bound together, they are stacked on the tray surface 1A, with their edges to be bound inserted below the raised pressure pad, overlapping the edge 1B and abutting the ribbed face of the stop member 2. All the binding edges must be touching the stop member.

The handle is now pushed down to carry out the binding operation and in swinging on the shaft 3A it pulls the shaft 11A, through the medium of the springs 11D, back and with it the arms 3B, which thus also swing about the shaft 3A and carry the pressure pad 3 until it is pressed down on the stack of sheets, but the handle may continue to move, since the springs 11D stretch.

Concurrently with operation of the pressure pad, movement of the handle on the shaft 3A carries the rod 11C to the front (that is, to the right in Figures 3, 6 and 7) and the rod 11C, in the detent 12D, swings the lever plates 12 forwardly about the shaft 128, against the spring 12C, so that the radius am 103 lifts the stop member 2 and with it the blade 9. These parts cannot follow a true are on the centre 12B, since the upper radius arm A, moving about the centre 13A, is on a shorter radius than the lower radius arm 10B. As a result, as the stop arm moves upwardly and forwardly, the blade moves upwardly out of the container and then gradually rearwardly also, so that it wipes against the binding edges held between the tray and the pressure pad. As it wipes against the edges solution is applied to them. When this is dry, the sheets are bound together. This swinging movement of the stop member and the blade is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In Figure 6 the blade is just emerging from the container and in Figure 7 it is wiping against the edges.

After the above operation is complete, the handle is released and the springs 12C and 11D return the parts to the Figure 3 or normal position. The sheets are removed and the machine is ready to receive further sheets to be bound.

The action of the curved plate 1D is to ensure that the working parts are always covered. It is freely mounted on the handle shaft 3A; its rear edge is free and rests on the stop member, as shown in Figure 3. As the stop member is raised during operation, the edge of the curved plate 1D rides over the rear surface of the stop member, which is then hidden.

If desired the machine may have adjusting mechanism so that the length of stroke of the blade may be varied to suit the binding conditions, which may vary as between for example the insertion of a few sheets and the binding of a large stack of possibly several hundred sheets.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for binding sheets together comprising a casing, an inclined tray-like surface in the casing for supporting sheets piled thereon, a ribbed member normally in a position substantially at right angles to the traylike surface for abutting the supported sheets so that their binding edges are aligned substantially in a common plane, a pressure-applying member for keeping the binding edges adjacent one another, a container for flexible-film-forming solution such as a colloidal rubber solution, the container having an opening through which solution may be withdrawn by a blade which normally serves to close the container opening, and mechanism operable to apply the pressure-applying member, to Withdraw the blade, to move the ribbed member away from the aligned binding edges and to move the blade into contact with the binding edges, whereby sutficient solution may be brought into contact with the edges for binding the sheets together.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ribbed member carries the blade which is movable with the said member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the blade is slidably mounted on the ribbed member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the ribbed member is carried by an upper pair of radius arms and a lower pair of radius arms, the upper arms having a shorter radius than the lower arms, whereby the blade may be moved into wiping contact with the binding edges.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a removable reservoir is associated with said container for maintaining the solution level therein.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said reservoir is removably mounted on an extension of said container, said reservoir having a solution opening which is closed when said reservoir is not in place on said container extension.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said reservoir opening is closed by a spring pressed ball.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said container extension houses a device for displacing said ball inwardly when said reservoir is in place on said extension.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said ball displacing device only operates to displace said ball when the apparatus is placed on a horizontal surface, said device including a cup and ball arrangement to prevent said device operating when the apparatus is not level.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said reservoir is adapted to be mounted at an angle to the vertical to improve solution and air flow.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said ball displacing device includes a needle, the point of which is engageable with said ball for moving inwardly and to one side to improve solution and air flow.

12. Apparatus for binding sheets together comprising support means for supporting sheets piled thereon, aligning means in association with said support means for abutting said supported sheets so that their binding edges are aligned, pressure-applying means for pressing said supported and aligned sheets together close to said binding edges, a closable container for flexible-film-forming solution such as a colloidal rubber solution, a device for applying said solution to said aligned and pressed together binding edges, and closure means for automatically closing said container when said apparatus is not being operated.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, said apparatus being manually operable by a handle.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a single movement of said handle from the normal at rest position carries out the binding operation, return of the parts to said normal position being automatic.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein automatic return of the parts is caused by tension coil springs.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said pressure applying means is an elongated pad adapted to be moved down into clamping contact with the uppermost sheets to be bound.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said pressure applying means is so mounted that its undersurface is substantially parallel to the general plane of the sheets as it comes into contact with said uppermost sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

